The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Right Final Drive for Your Excavator

Dig smart or dig your own grave (financially speaking)

If you’ve ever tried finding the right final drive for your excavator and felt like you were solving a Rubik’s cube blindfolded—welcome to the club. The final drive (also known as the travel motor) is that glorious hunk of machinery responsible for moving your excavator from point A to point B without it dragging itself like a wounded animal.

Get it wrong, and you're looking at a machine that either doesn’t move, leaks oil like a retirement-age Land Rover, or worse—dies halfway through a critical job.

That’s why we’re here. To save you from mechanical heartbreak and help you pick the right final drive like a pro. Whether you’re a first-time buyer or a battle-scarred veteran with grease under your nails and patience worn thin, this guide is for you.

Let’s get into it.

What is a Final Drive and Why Does It Matter?

The final drive is the excavator’s travel motor. It’s part hydraulic motor, part gear reduction box. Basically, it’s the thing that gives your machine torque and speed while keeping everything compact enough to squeeze inside the undercarriage.

When it goes bad, you’ll know. Symptoms include:

• Loss of power when tracking

• Strange noises (grinding, whining, or clanking—none of which are good)

• Leaking hydraulic fluid

• Tracks moving at different speeds

• Complete refusal to move

The final drive is NOT the part you want to cheap out on or guess your way through buying. One wrong move and it’s not just money down the drain—it’s productivity, reputation, and jobs.

Step 1: Know Your Excavator’s Make and Model (Seriously, Don’t Skip This)

It sounds basic, but you'd be amazed how many people call us and say something like:“I need a final drive for a yellow excavator. I think it’s a Komatsu? Or maybe it’s Caterpillar. Not sure.”

Look, we’re good—but we’re not psychic. The exact make, model, and sub-model of your excavator are essential.

• Serial numbers are gold.

• Know the year of manufacture if possible.

• Different models can have different final drive specs, even if they look identical on the outside.

Pro Tip:Take a photo of the ID plate on your machine before you call your supplier. Saves everyone time and saves you from accidentally ordering a R100,000 paperweight.

Step 2: Match the Specs — Don’t “Eyeball It”

When buying a final drive, "close enough" doesn’t cut it. You want an exact match or you’re asking for trouble. Here’s what you need to know:

Key Specs to Check:

• Shaft Diameter

• Number of Bolt Holes

• Bolt Hole Diameter and Pattern

• Hydraulic Port Configuration

• Gear Ratio

• Motor Displacement (cc/rev)

• Track Frame Fitment

If that makes your eyes glaze over, no stress—just gather the info and let your supplier do the math. A good supplier (cough like Vikfin cough) will walk you through it.

Step 3: New vs. Used vs. Rebuilt – What’s Right for You?

Not all final drives are created equal, and not all budgets are either. Here’s the breakdown:

New Final Drive

• Best performance, longest life

• Usually comes with a solid warranty

• Most expensive option

Used Final Drive

• Great for budget-conscious operators

• Make sure it’s tested and cleaned

• May come with a short warranty or none at all

Rebuilt Final Drive

• Middle ground: lower price than new, more reliability than used

• Make sure it's rebuilt by a reputable shop

• Look for full pressure testing and component replacement

Vikfin Tip: We specialize in quality used and rebuilt final drives for most major brands in South Africa. We test, clean, and inspect every unit before it hits your hands. No junk, no “hope it works” parts.

Step 4: Consider Your Application

Not every jobsite is the same, and not every final drive handles every job well. Think about where and how your excavator works:

Tough Terrain?

• You want a drive with high torque and durability

• Look for sealed units with reinforced gearing

Long Hours or High Productivity?

• Opt for a newer or rebuilt drive with top reliability

• Heat and pressure cycles wear out cheaper units faster

Temporary Use?

• A tested used unit might be perfect if you’re flipping the machine or just using it for one project

Don't overpay for a tank when all you need is a bicycle with an engine. But also—don’t expect a bicycle to perform like a tank on a demolition job.

Step 5: Avoid These Common Final Drive Buying Mistakes

Let’s save you some money (and a lot of swearing). Here are some mistakes we see all too often:

1. Buying Based on Looks

Just because it looks the same doesn’t mean it is. Many drives are nearly identical on the outside but have different guts (gear ratios, flow rates, etc.).

2. Ignoring Gear Ratio

A mismatched gear ratio means your machine may crawl at a snail’s pace or spin too fast and destroy itself.

3. Cheap Imports with Zero Support

We get it, that R25,000 drive online looks tempting—but when it fails and no one can fix it or source parts, you’re stuffed.

4. Installing It Wrong

Even the right part can fail fast if installed poorly. Use a qualified technician or follow your OEM manual religiously.

5. Not Asking About Warranty

If your supplier offers no warranty, run. A 30- to 90-day warranty is a good minimum standard for used/rebuilt parts.

Step 6: Work With the Right Supplier

Look, the market is full of suppliers who will sell you whatever fits (kinda). But you want a partner who knows their stuff, asks the right questions, and stands behind what they sell.

At Vikfin, we:

• Stock quality-tested final drives for brands like CAT, Komatsu, Hitachi, Doosan, Volvo, and more

• Offer honest advice based on 20+ years in the game

• Back our parts with solid warranties

• Help you identify what you actually need (even if you only know the color of your machine)

You’re not just buying a part. You’re buying uptime. And in this business, uptime = money.

Final Thoughts (and Final Drive Wisdom)

Your excavator’s final drive is literally what keeps it moving. Don't take shortcuts. Get the right fit, from the right people, and make sure it’s suited to your machine and your job.

If you’re in South Africa and looking for a final drive that actually works, give us a shout at Vikfin. We'll get you sorted without the BS.

And if you’re not sure where to start—start with your machine’s model number and give us a call. Or better yet, WhatsApp us a photo of your machine’s ID plate, and we’ll take it from there.

In Case You Skimmed the Whole Thing...

Here’s the TL;DR:

• Always know your excavator’s make, model, and serial number

• Match the specs precisely (don’t guess)

• Choose between new, used, or rebuilt based on your budget and needs

• Avoid common mistakes like buying cheap imports or ignoring gear ratios

• Work with a supplier who actually gives a damn (like Vikfin)

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Need help or want a quote on a final drive?Call us, WhatsApp us, or just swing by with a coffee. (We accept bribes in the form of muffins.)

Let Vikfin keep your excavator running—and your reputation intact.